Each course is a series of projects designed to introduce beginners to the pleasure of painting in watercolour and to help intermediate painter's wishing to improve their technique etc.

Our mid-week courses will run for four nights, arriving Monday evening, giving us three full days, Tues; Wed; and Thurs. Courses are to start in Spring 2009.
There is an introductory price of £239.00 for our first course -
Non-painters are also welcome at a reduced rate.

Though this is not a master class, more experienced/advanced watercolourists will still be welcome, I do believe we can all learn from each other.
We will be a small group, not less than three up to a maximum of perhaps seven or eight

Stafford Croft - the bungalow - is set within approx one acre of its own landscaped gardens in the heart of the pretty village of Bradwell, in the Hope Valley.

When booking/registering please state whether you are a raw beginner or an
intermediate/improver wishing to refresh what you do know and upgrade your technique.

Also please indicate whether you will require materials to buy and keep?
Or will you want to buy just enough colours and paper to complete the course
taking the option to only borrow the brushes, palettes boards etc.?

For a list of recommended materials; click pdf file link below
Peak District Course - Material List and Order Form

watercolours, brushes, palettes, watercolour paper, stretching support/boards
bulldog clips/ masking tape, 12 inch ruler; Pencils HB and 1B, pencil sharpener/craft knife

Some basic art materials will be available at prices below RRP on the course,
including Packs of 5 sheets of Bockingford watercolour paper. one sheet of which will have
grid-lines already marked and can be used as a template for the other sheets.

For order options. see web page shop order form below.
www.watercolourclass.co.uk/shop/

Make your own very useful easel, see the PDF Instruction sheet: click the link below for an
easy-to-make fold-flat carboard easel
Easy-Easel.pdf

The course demo's are designed to guide and help beginners and intermediates or improvers
by using the simple step by step approach which always achieves the best results.
This will provide each student with individualized instruction while emphasising
colour theory, perspective and composition.

Starting with simple line drawings which will be supplied. we will
explore the classic method of redrawing an image to a larger sheet of paper
maintaining proportional integrity

We start with pencils, watching the pressure and ready with the putty rubbers.??
Or is there an alternative to those traditional erasers, which always damage the paper's surface ??

Following a well practised structured regime:
1.The GRID as an aid to drawing - a map to guide your eye and pencil.
2. Producing a drawing
3. Exposing the mystery of perspective
4. Mixing colours - the trial pad an artist's friend
5. First washes of colour
6. Loading a brush and keeping it that way.
7. Fear of the Dark - dark/strong colours help to give depth
8. Contrast using it wisely to produce form
9. Repetition and practice. Why this is the secret of watercolour at any level.

End of day critique with Informal chats discussions and suggestions.
At the end of the session your finished picture is displayed in a mount
to show how effective it looks.